Check-wire anchor stake



Sept. 19, 1933. c H wHlTE CHECK WIRE ANCHOR STAKE Filed Aug. 29, 1927 IT IL Marnzq Patented Sept. 19, 1933 1,927,193 CHECK- WIRE ANCHOR. STAKE Charles H. "White, Moline, 111., 'assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., 'a corporation of Illinois Application August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216',082 -17 Claims. (CL 111-49) ,Thepresentinvention relates to check-wire anchorstakes, such-as areemployed in check row corn planting for anchoring the check wire adjacent to the ends'of the rows.

' vide an improved construction of anchorstake characterized by means for indicating when .a certain desired tension hasbeen imposed onthe check-wire. .To secure maximum accuracy in check row planting it is desirable that the same tension .beplaced upon the wire in each shifting and restaking thereof. The present anchor stake embodies means for indicating when a certain predetermined tension has been imposed a on the wire, which tension is imposed on the wire in.

'each i resta-king thereof.

, Another .object of the invention is to'provide an anchor stakeof the above description characterized by an improved arrangement of lock ingmechanism-forlocking the wire't'o'the stake. 'After the predetermined tension :has been imposed onthe wire, as-above described, this locking mechanismris effective to positivelyloc-k the wire to the stake,-so that-the staked-end of the .wirecannot yield under the additional tension which is intermittently .set up in the wire each time that the check fork of theplanter strikes one, of the check row buttons on the wire.

Another object of the'inventioniis to provide an anchor stake wherein the tension set up in the wire is obtained through 'a manually operated rotary winding device which is mounted on the stake.

Another object of the invention is to provide an-anchor stake whichis simple ahdinexpensive to construct and which'is -easy to operate.

Referring to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodimentbf the invention:

Fig. '1 is an elevational view of the-stake.

Fig. '-2 is a fragmentary side view showing the rotary winding device in detail,

Fig. '3 is-a transverse sectional view through the rotary winding device, taken on the plane of the 1ine 3'3 'of Fig. 2,-and

Fig. l is a-detail sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The stake comprises a shank 5 preferably constructed of round bar stock. The lower portion 6 is adapted to be forced into the ground for anchoring the stake, such lower Iporti'onhaving a pointed end 7 for readily penetrating the soil. A laterally bent handle 8 at the upper end of the shank aids in forcing the stake down into the ground, andrprovides a-hand-'hold-by which One of the-objects of theinvention-is to pro- 7 cated end.

the stake can bepulledout of the ground. A step or like projecting member 9 extends from one sideof the shank, affording means through which foot pressure'can be exerted on thestake in forcing the same into the ground.v Interme- 0 diate its endsthe shank'is flattened on both sides, thereby forming 'a relatively wide-mountingportion 11 of fiat bar section. Directly below the flattenedportion, the-shank-is'ofiset as indicated at 12, so that ashoulderorbendoccursrbetween I the lower ground engagingportion 6 and the fiattened portion 11,-which'shoulder'or bend constitutes a gage point for indicating how far the shank should be driveninto'theground.

Mounted on the-fiattenedportion 11 isarotary winding device 13,:through which the desired-tension is exerted onth'echeck-wire. Aswill be'seen from Fig.3, such winding-device-isconstructed of twodiscs 13' which: are secured together by rivets 14. The edges of thediscscurveoutwardly from each other-tofOrma peripheral groove 15, the two discs forming ineffect a grooved sheave wheelor winding drum. The check-wire'is indicated at 16, oneof the buttons thereon being indicatedat 1'7. For connecting'the check-wire with a peripheral point on the rotary winding device13, I preferably interposea-chain 18 between the two, such chain winding 'upon the rotary winding device within the groove 15. One end of the chain is'linked to a staple 19 which has its ends bent outwardly through holes in the'discs 13', and the-other end of-the'chain is linked to a'hook 21 which hasa bifurcated end adapted to hook inback of one of the buttons 1-7 onthe-check-wire. Such'hook is 7 preferably constructed of=a-shortlength of heavy wire having .an :eye or loop formed intermediate its ends, whicheye or loop is-closed by crossing thewirwandthe'endsof the wire are then bent backwardly'in spaced relation to form the bifur- .95 Referring to Fig.-3, it willbeseen that the two discs:13 aresecured by rivets 22 toa hub 23 which bears against one side of the'fiattenedshankportion 111. The hub is formed with abearingportion '24 which'is rotata'bly supported in a-hole in the shank portion. A bolt 25' passes centrally through the discs 13 and throughthe'bearing hub 23 and projects from the opposite side of the shank. The step 'm'ember'9 consists of a sleeve mounted on'theprojecting end of the bolt 25. A cupped spring washer 26 is interposed between the'inner endofthe sleeve9 and the adjacent side of theshank portion 11. The outer-end of the bolt isthreaded for receiving a nut 2'7, a washer 2 8 (illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2)

rotary winding device.

being interposed between said nut and the end of the sleeve 9.

The rotary winding device 13 is revolved through operation of a handle 29. Interposed between such handle and the rotary winding device 13 is a spring 31, through which the torque exerted on the handle is transmitted to the rotary winding device. Preferably the handle and spring are constructed as a unit, both being formed at opposite ends of a section of heavy spring rod. The

spring is formed by coiling or shaping the rod to produce one or more spring convolutions or turns, as shown in Fig. 2. The inner end of the spring is fixedly anchored to the outer disc 13 by two U-shaped clips 32 which are fastened by the rivets 22 to the side of the outer disc 13'. The upstanding arms of the clips are aligned diametrically across the center of the disc, and formed in the extremities of such arms are arcuate notches 33 (Fig. 3) in which the inner end of the spring 31 engages. The bolt 25 extends out from the side of the disc between the clips 32 and is provided with an eye 25 through which the end of the spring is passed. The tension exerted on the bolt by tightening up on the nut 27 acts through the eye 25 to draw the end of the spring into rigid clamping engagement in the notches 33.

That portion of the spring rod which extends outwardly to form the handle 29 passes through a slot 34 formed in the rotary winding device. Said slot is punched in a wing or lug 35 which projects laterally from the periphery of the outer discs 13 (Fig. 4) the slot extending in the direction of rotation of the handle 29. The device is so con- .structed that when no winding torque is being transmitted from the handle to the winding device, the handle rod bears against, or lies in close proximity to, the rear end of theslot (illustrated in full lines in Fig. 2). When tension is being applied to the check-wire, the torque exerted on the handle will gradually increase with the tension of the wire, until the spring 31 flexes and permits the handle portion of the rod to move forwardly and contact with the forward end of the slot When this occurs the operator knows that he has placed the desired amount of tension on the check-wire, the

flexing strength of the spring 31 being properly proportioned to have this gage action. Thus the Islot 3 1, acting in conjunction with the spring 31,

affords a tension indicating gage device which is operative with each shifting and restaking of the wire to indicate to the operator when he has applied the desired tension to the wire.

When the handle rod contacts with the leading end of the slot, the operator ceases further wind ing of the rotary device 13, and the wire is positively locked at this predetermined tension by ratchet mechanism which cooperates with the This ratchet mechanism comprises a series of ratchet teeth 36 formed in the edge of the inner disc 13, with which a pawl 37 cooperates. The pawl 37 is pivotally mounted at 38 on the flattened shank portion 11, being located above the rotary winding device so as to regarded broadly as a wire drawing device and the handle 29 may be regarded as the manually operated means for actuating the wire drawing device. Similarly, the spring 31 acting in conjunction with the slot' 34 may be regarded broadly as a tension indicating gage means, and the pawl and ratchet mechanism may be regarded as the locking means for the wire. It will be noted that the tension indicating gage means is interposed directly between the check-wire and the manually operatedmeans (29). Thus, whatever tension is given the wire must be transmitted through the tension indicating gage means (the spring 31). It will, therefore, be seen that the tension indicating gage means will always indicate correctly when the desired tension has been imposed on the wire, and irrespective of whether or not the anchor stake is accurately placed at the end of the field, because if the stake is placed somewhat in front or in back of the correct point, the variation in the setting of the stake will be corrected by the amount of chain 18 that is wound on the device 13 prior to the gage means giving the tension indication. Otherwise expressed, the tension indicating gage means is not influenced by the amount of move ment of the wire drawing device with respect to the stake, but is only influenced by the tension imposed on the wire.

As a second consideration, it will be noted that the locking means is interposed between the check-wire and thetension indicating gage means. That is to say, the tension spring 31 is only effective in the tightening of the wire, at which time it serves as a gage device. After the wire has been given its predetermined tension it is positively locked at such tension to the stake, and the spring no longer has any effect on the wire. This is in contrast to prior stake devices wherein the spring is always under tension with the wire, serving as a cushioning or elastic tensioning member intended to hold the wire at a predetermined tension. I have found that, owing to the mass inertia of the seed dropping valve mechanism of the planter and to the operating energy necessary to actuate this valve mechanism, the reaction pressure of the check fork engaging against the buttons on the checkwire is sufiicient to cause the springs in these prior anchor stakes to yield to a sufficient degree to produce objectionable errors in the checking accuracy. By positively locking the wire to the transmittted through said gauge means, and

means for positively locking the wire to said stake at a point between said gage means and the wire.

2. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a shank adapted to be forced into the ground, a

rotary winding device pivotally supported on said shank, means for connecting the check-wire with said rotary winding device, and manually operated means for revolving said winding device to impose tension on the check-wire, said manually operated means comprising a spirally coiled spring through which she .windingitension is transmitted.

B. A acheck-wire anchor :sta'ke comprising a shank adapted to be forced -into the ground, a rotary winding device pivotally supported'on said shank, meansfcr connectingvtheIcheck-wire with a pointon the peripheryof said winding device, handle means for said winding device for rotating the same to impose tension on the wire, and a spring formed integral with said handle means and connecting the same with said winding device.

4. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary winding device pivotally supported on the stake, and means for connecting the check-wire with said rotary winding device, an operating handle for transmitting wire tensioning rotation to said rotary winding device, and spring means through which all of the tension imposed on the wire is directly transmitted interposed between said handle and said rotary winding device.

5. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said stake, means for connecting the check wire with said rotary winding device, an operating handle for transmitting wire tensioning rotation to said winding device, a spring formed integral with said handle for connecting the same to said winding device, and means for locking said winding device against retrograde movement.

6. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary Winding device pivotally supported on said stake, means for connecting the check wire with said rotary winding device, an operating handle for transmitting wire tensioning rotation to said winding device, spring means through which all of the tension imposed on the wire is directly transmitted interposed between said handle and said winding device, and means for locking said winding device against retrograde movement.

'7. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said stake, means connecting the check wire with said rotary winding device, an operating handle for transmitting wire tensioning rotation to said winding device, spring means through which all or the tension imposed on the wire is directly transmitted interposed between said handle and said winding device, and gage means cooperating with said spring means for indicating the tension imposed on the wire.

8. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said stake, means for connecting the check wire with said rotary winding device, a crank handle for rotating said winding device, spring means through which all of the tension imposed on the wire is directly transmitted interposed between said crank handle and said winding device, gage means cooperating with said spring means for indicating the tension imposed on the wire, and means for locking said winding device against retrograde movement.

9. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a shank adapted to be forced into the ground, a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said shank, a handle for rotating said winding device, a spring connecting said handle with said winding device, and flexible means connected at one end to said winding device and adapted to be connected at its other end to the check wire.

10. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a shank adapted to be forced into the ground, a

rotary winding device pivotally supported on said said rotary winding :device, and an operating handle if or .said :winding device constructed of :a rod having'a springiformed'atlits inner:end,said spring being secured to said winding device.

:11..A check-wire anchor stake :comprising a shank adapted .to be :forced into th'e "ground, a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said shank, means for connecting the check wire with said winding device, an operating handle for rotating said winding device, spring means permitting relative angular movement between said operating handle and said winding device, and gage means on said winding device for indicating such relative movement.

12. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a shank adapted to be forced into the ground, a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said shank, means for connecting the check wire with said rotary winding device, a crank handle for rotating said winding device, a spring connecting the inner end of said crank handle with said winding device, and a slot in said winding device through which said crank handle extends, whereby relative angular movement between said handle and said winding device will be indicated by movement of said handle in said slot.

13. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a shank adapted to be forced into the ground, an eye-bolt supported in said shank, a rotary winding sheave mounted concentrically of said eyebolt on one side of said shank, said eye-bolt projecting from the other side of said shank and forming a step on which foot pressure can be exerted for forcing the stake into the ground, a chain linked at one end to said winding sheave and having a hook at its other end adapted for connecting with the check-wire, a rod having its outer end bent laterally to form a crank handle and having a spring convolution formed at its inner end, a clamping shoulder on the outer face of said winding sheave, the inner end of said spring convolution passing through said eye-bolt and being held in clamping engagement with said shoulder by said bolt, a peripheral slot in said winding sheave through which said rod extends, ratchet teeth on said winding sheave, and a pawl pivotally mounted on said shank for engaging in said racket teeth.

14. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a rotary winding device pivotally supported on said stake, means for connecting the check-wire with said rotary winding device, an operating handle for transmitting wire tensioning rotation to said.

winding device, and a spring coiled spirally in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the winding device and through which the winding tension is transmitted.

15. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a sheave adapted to have connection with the check-wire, manually operated means for revolving said sheave to exert tension on the Wire, and means for locking the check-wire to said stake, said manually operated means having a spring integral therewith.

16. A check-wire anchor stake comprising a sheave, means for connecting the check-wire with said sheave, manually operated means for revolving said sheave to impose tension on the wire, automatically operating means for positively looking the sheave to said stake, and tension indicating gage means including a spirally coiled spring, said spring being integral with said manually operated means and connecting said means with said sheave.

shank, means for connecting the check wire with' drawing member and through which spring all of the tension imposed on the wire is directly transmitted, gage means cooperating with said spring for indicating the tension on the wire, and pawl and ratchet mechanism for locking said wire drawing member to said stake.

CHARLES H. WHITE. 

